Endoscopic Electrosurgical Instrument Integrating Distal Camera and Radiating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic electrosurgical procedures face challenges in treating small body cavities due to the need for separate instruments for imaging and treatment, which can result in blind treatments and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic electrosurgical instrument and kit that integrates a feed structure for electromagnetic energy and an image capturing device at the distal end, allowing simultaneous imaging and treatment without the need for optical fibers, thereby reducing the instrument's diameter and enabling use in smaller cavities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate endoscopic camera and endoscopic instrument are used, then imaging and treatment functions are provided, but the body cavity may not be large enough to house both instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the endoscopic camera and endoscopic instrument into a single integrated device. The camera unit is positioned within the instrument shaft, allowing both imaging and treatment functions to be performed through one instrument, thereby reducing the space requirement in the body cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated instrument serves multiple functions: imaging through the camera, treatment through the radiating element, and navigation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate instruments while adapting to limited body cavity spaces.
2Volume of moving object
If endoscopic camera is replaced by endoscopic instrument, then space constraint is resolved, but treatment cannot be simultaneously monitored by the endoscopic camera
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit is integrated within the instrument shaft, allowing simultaneous imaging and treatment. The camera continues to monitor the treatment area while the radiating element performs the treatment, eliminating the need to choose between space savings and monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated camera unit acts as an intermediary that provides continuous visual feedback of the treatment area while the treatment is being performed, enabling real-time monitoring without requiring a separate instrument.
3Quantity of substance
If optical fibers are used to conduct light from target area to remote optical sensor, then imaging is achieved, but outer diameter of the instrument increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image capturing device from the proximal end and places it at the distal end within the instrument shaft. This eliminates the need for optical fibers to transmit light over long distances, thereby reducing the instrument's outer diameter while maintaining imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting light through optical fibers from the target area to a remote sensor, the camera sensor is positioned at the distal end to directly capture images at the treatment site. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the need for long light transmission paths and reduces instrument diameter.
4Adaptability or versatility
If smaller instrument diameter is used to access smaller body cavities, then adaptability to small cavities is improved, but integration of imaging and treatment functions becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The camera unit is nested within the instrument shaft, with the camera housing positioned inside the hollow interior of the shaft. This nesting arrangement allows both imaging and treatment components to be integrated in a compact configuration that maintains a small overall instrument diameter.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and monitored treatment in smaller body cavities by combining imaging and treatment functions in a single instrument, reducing the diameter and increasing the versatility of the electrosurgical instrument and kit.
Implementation Method 1
The feed structure is configured to convey electromagnetic energy from a proximal end of the electrosurgical instrument to a region at a distal end of the electrosurgical instrument
Implementation Method 2
The radiating element is connected to the feed structure to receive the electromagnetic energy from the feed structure. The radiating element is configured for radiating the electromagnetic energy into a target area
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention refers to an endoscopic electrosurgical instrument, comprising: a feed structure configured to convey electromagnetic energy from a proximal end of the electrosurgical instrument to a region at a distal end of the electrosurgical instrument, a radiating element arranged in the region at the distal end, the radiating element connected to the feed structure to receive the electromagnetic energy therefrom, the radiating element being configured to radiate the electromagnetic energy into a target area, and an image capturing device arranged in the region at the distal end and configured to generate an image of a part of the target area.